Matthew Rorick farms one of the most compelling sites in all of California, Rorick Heritage Vineyard in Calaveras. High altitude, super unique soils and steep slopes produce extremely particular fruit. Tinta Roriz (aka, Tempranillo) from RHV is picked and direct pressed to form the delicate, spicy, snappy strawberry component for this wine. Fox Hill Vineyard is planted ALMOST entirely to Italian varieties. The Portuguese block is the exception. Souzão and Touriga Nacional are both primarily relegated to the production of fortified wine, both here and back home in Portugal. But with these two meaty, herbal, tannic, intensely colored varieties I have found such intriguing success in bringing to life a more savory, earthy and structured version of pink wine. It's not just for porch pounding or deck drinking (although, feel free to continue to do so).